Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Today, Sherri Wilcox of the Church & Community Organization in Canton accepted the delivery of about 500 childrens' books today.

Its all part of "Addie's Books for Christmas." Generous donors in St. Lawrence County contributed the books. Another 500 or so went to the Toys for Tots program in Ogdensburg.

The Watertown/Jefferson County pickup will be tomorrow with the kids books distributed by the Community Action Planning Council (CAPC). This is the second year of Addie's program with the goal of putting a book in every kids hand during the holidays. Kinney Drugs in Canton and the Salmon Run Mall in Watertown were the two collection points. So stop by and drop off a couple of nice books for those kids that are a little less fortunate this year!

Like many of my Democratic colleagues, I have long supported making the Bush-era tax cuts for the middle class permanent while letting the tax cuts for the ultra wealthy expire. But unlike many in Washington, I have urged leadership of both parties to compromise on this issue. Finally, after months of gridlock and finger-pointing from both parties, President Obama and Republicans in Congress have reached an agreement to do what is best for the American people – prevent a middle class tax increase on January 1 by agreeing to extend tax rates across all income levels for two years.

I support this compromise because job creation is my top priority. Although I do not believe that extending tax cuts for the ultra wealthy will create jobs, and I’m concerned that doing so will unnecessarily add to the debt, I believe a two-year extension is a fair compromise and that the overall agreement contains significant job creation measures. As we continue on the road to recovery, we will be able to revisit the tax rates for the wealthiest Americans when the economy is on stronger footing.

While many of my fellow Democrats believe that this compromise is a giveaway to the rich, nothing could be further from the truth. The bipartisan agreement forged by President Obama and Congressional Republicans delivers several key victories for American families and small businesses in addition to the extension of current tax rates:

• An Employee-Side Payroll Tax Cut: The compromise includes an employee-side payroll tax cut of 2 percent for over 155 million workers – providing additional middle class tax relief of about $112 billion next year.

• Extension of Unemployment Benefits: The compromise extends emergency unemployment benefits for 13 months, preventing an estimated 7 million Americans from losing their benefits over the next year as they continue to search for work.

• 100 Percent Expensing: The compromise includes a proposal, similar to legislation I introduced earlier this year, to allow businesses to expense 100 percent of their equipment investments in 2011, potentially generating more than $50 billion in additional investment, which will inject demand into the economy and fuel job creation.

• Estate Tax Relief: The compromise includes an increase in the estate tax exemption to $5 million per person and $10 million per couple, with a top tax rate of 35%. I have advocated for these levels since coming to Congress, because they will ensure that family farms and small businesses in our region are not subject to the tax. Recent figures show that only 1,379 people were subject to this tax in the entire State of New York when the exemption level was $2 million. I expect that by increasing the joint exemption to $10 million, a small fraction of filers will be affected in New York’s 23rd congressional district.

• Research & Development Tax Credit: The compromise includes a two-year extension of the R&D tax credit and other tax incentives to support business expansion.

Middle-class families and small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. They have been hit hardest by the economic downturn, and provisions in this compromise may be the difference that allows them to make ends meet and ensures the economy continues to recover. That is why I’m urging my colleagues in Congress to not only pass this compromise, but to make it the first of many bipartisan agreements that move our country forward in the coming year.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Last weekend was a busy one for Democrats across the North Country. From Bell ringing to Christmas parade's in Clayton Democrats were there!

Assemblywoman Addie Russell (118th) took time to stop by the Clayton Christmas Parade. The Assemblywoman has always been a big fan of the Clayton parade and brought her family along to share in the festivities. Below you'll find a few pictures of the event.

Assemblywoman Addie Russell and her son take a moment as the Clayton Parade gets underway.

The crowd greets Addie as the Parade winds down main st. in Clayton. A great day for all!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

We just heard from Sandra Cole and she was called by Capt. Hopping from the Salvation Army. The JCDC was successful in raising $555.85 last Saturday. That's incredibly impressive and a testiment to all that helped out. Thank you all so very much for helping and we look forward to our next big event!

Thank you!!Thank you!! Thank you!!!

Assemblywoman Addie Russell, Jefferson County Sheriff John Burns, County Chair Sean M Hennessey, County Secretary Sandra Cole and many others are ringing the Kettle bell at the WalMart in the Town of LeRay as part of their on going "Discover the Meaning" Program.

The County Committee is not only committed to making the North Country a more progressive and inclusive community were also all about giving back to a community that has given so much to us." said Sean M Hennessey, Democratic Chairman. The annual program named by Sandra Cole (pictured Above) is a way for people from across our community to come together, give back and also figure out why we align ourselves with the Democrat party.

There are so many across our County that are going to go without this holiday Season and what better way to show we care then to spend the day raising funds for such a great organization.

The Jefferson County Democratic Committee (JCDC) will be at the Wal-Mart all day today (Saturday December 4th) starting at 10 am and ending at 8pm. Please come by and thank those who have spent the day ringing the bell and drop what you can in the kettle. It's a great way to kick off the holiday season and a great way to help those who are much less fortunate then you and I.

Lee was adamant that he wanted in on this opportunity to give back to our community. His energy and connections in the community was a real boost the days fundraising efforts.

Pictured is Mike Flynn and a generous young man who told Mike that he has seen hard times before and now that he's on his feet wanted to give back. A incredible moment for Mike and our committee.

Pictured is Michelle Appleby. Even with some physically disabilities Michelle felt strongly about coming out with her children and ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. As Michelle said "It's important that I show my children that Christmas is not about getting but giving."

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Members of the Congressional Tea Party Caucus may tout their commitment to cutting government spending now, but they used the 111th Congress to request hundreds of earmarks that, taken cumulatively, added more than $1 billion to the federal budget.

According to a Hotline review of records compiled by Citizens Against Government Waste, the 52 members of the caucus, which pledges to cut spending and reduce the size of government, requested a total of 764 earmarks valued at $1,049,783,150 during Fiscal Year 2010, the last year for which records are available.

"It's disturbing to see the Tea Party Caucus requested that much in earmarks. This is their time to put up or shut up, to be blunt," said David Williams, vice president for policy at Citizens Against Government Waste. "There's going to be a huge backlash if they continue to request earmarks."

In founding the caucus in July, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) said she was giving voice to Americans who were sick of government overspending.

[How do deficit-cutters sell the U.S. on pain?]

"The American people are speaking out loud and clear. They have had enough of the spending, the bureaucracy, and the government-knows-best mentality running rampant today throughout the halls of Congress," Bachmann said in a July 15 statement. The group, she wrote in a letter to House Administration Committee chairman Bob Brady, "will serve as an informal group of Members dedicated to promote Americans' call for fiscal responsibility, adherence to the Constitution, and limited government."

Bachmann and 13 of her Tea Party Caucus colleagues did not request any earmarks in the last Fiscal Year, according to CAGW's annual Congressional Pig Book. But others have requested millions of dollars in special projects.

Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.), for one, attached his name to 69 earmarks in the last fiscal year, for a total of $78,263,000. The 41 earmarks Rep. Rodney Alexander (R-La.) requested were worth $65,395,000. Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.) wanted $63,400,000 for 39 special projects, and Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah) wanted $93,980,000 set aside for 47 projects.Read more from Yahoo news HERE

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Former Chair John Kiechle and Senator Chuck Shumer shake hands at the Chrystal Restaurant during the Senator's recent trip to Watertown. John is a big supporter of the Senator and has been a great friend to the progressive movement in the North Country.

Jefferson County Democratic Committee

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This is the official Blog of the Jefferson County Democratic Party. We would like to know your views and would appreciate you forwarding them on to us at:Jeffersondemocrats@gmail.comor by calling us at (315) 788-4590